TAMPA, Fla. - Tampa police are investigating the deaths of a man and a woman who knew each other in two connected incidents that happened in the Old Seminole Heights neighborhood early Monday morning.
Man found dead in vehicle
What we know:
According to the Tampa Police Department, shortly before 1:30 a.m. on Monday, officers were dispatched to the 6900 block of North Central Avenue after reports of a vehicle that’s engine was running but was stopped in the middle of the road.
When officers arrived, they found a man, the only person in the vehicle, dead from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to investigators.
Woman dies in burned home
Dig deeper:
Hours later, shortly before 6:30 a.m., police responded to a home in the 200 block of East Patterson Street after reports of an unresponsive woman.
Investigators say early findings revealed smoke and structural damage inside the home, indicating a fire had recently sparked. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
The medical examiner’s office will determine her official cause of death.
Cases connected, not random, detectives say
Detectives say initial evidence indicates the deaths are connected, and the cases are not believed to be random.
What we don't know:
Police confirmed the man and woman were known to one another but are still working to determine the type of relationship they had and what led to both deaths.
TPD has not released the identities of the victims at this time.
Police seek information
What you can do:
Police are asking anyone with information or relevant home security video in the areas of both scenes to come forward.
Tips can be shared by calling TPD at 813-231-6130 or contacting Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at 800-873-TIPS.
The Source: Information for this story was provided by the Tampa Police Department.